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We've talked to our 5 year old about abortion before, but because she's 5, she forgets. So we revisited it this week. Our exchange:
Me: Abortion means that if a mommy doesn't want to be pregnant before the baby is born or becomes a person, she doesn't have to be. A doctor can do surgery or give her medicine to end the pregnancy.
5YO: That's a great thing! I love that! Wow! That's just...that's really great!
Me: Well, the reason we're all upset right now is that some judges are saying some people won't be able to have abortions anymore.
5YO: I AM GOING TO SMASH EVERYTHING. WHERE IS MY BAT? I NEED A BAT. Can we build a catapult and catapult the judges into a fire?
So I'm feeling pretty good about the next generation, if we ignore a lot of the tantrums she threw this week.
To be totally honest, I am still way too angry to talk to my kids about abortion. I mean, I've definitely mentioned it over the years -- especially when I got my tubes tied and our cat got spayed in the same month, and we talked about the choice not to have any more babies, and why I was (so, so happily) undergoing permanent surgery to that end, and why we didn't want more kitties in the world -- but not in light of recent events.
Last Friday evening they overheard my husband and I talking about what we might do, in the future, if we ever need to help them get abortions (i.e., where and how, not any sort of moral quandary... I never thought I'd hear myself utter the words, "Thank God for Illinois" 🤪), and I could tell immediately that my 8yo's antennas had perked up, because my antennas went up at the same time (funny how that works). It was a short conversation, partially because we realized they were listening, and partially because the intensity of my feelings is still so high and so raw. I am in no shape, currently, to discuss it with them. Maybe in a few weeks, maybe months, I don't know -- I'm not going to hold myself to a timeline. When I am able, I'll do it. Until then, board games 😂
We've talked to our 5 year old about abortion before, but because she's 5, she forgets. So we revisited it this week. Our exchange:
Me: Abortion means that if a mommy doesn't want to be pregnant before the baby is born or becomes a person, she doesn't have to be. A doctor can do surgery or give her medicine to end the pregnancy.
5YO: That's a great thing! I love that! Wow! That's just...that's really great!
Me: Well, the reason we're all upset right now is that some judges are saying some people won't be able to have abortions anymore.
5YO: I AM GOING TO SMASH EVERYTHING. WHERE IS MY BAT? I NEED A BAT. Can we build a catapult and catapult the judges into a fire?
So I'm feeling pretty good about the next generation, if we ignore a lot of the tantrums she threw this week.
To be totally honest, I am still way too angry to talk to my kids about abortion. I mean, I've definitely mentioned it over the years -- especially when I got my tubes tied and our cat got spayed in the same month, and we talked about the choice not to have any more babies, and why I was (so, so happily) undergoing permanent surgery to that end, and why we didn't want more kitties in the world -- but not in light of recent events.
Last Friday evening they overheard my husband and I talking about what we might do, in the future, if we ever need to help them get abortions (i.e., where and how, not any sort of moral quandary... I never thought I'd hear myself utter the words, "Thank God for Illinois" 🤪), and I could tell immediately that my 8yo's antennas had perked up, because my antennas went up at the same time (funny how that works). It was a short conversation, partially because we realized they were listening, and partially because the intensity of my feelings is still so high and so raw. I am in no shape, currently, to discuss it with them. Maybe in a few weeks, maybe months, I don't know -- I'm not going to hold myself to a timeline. When I am able, I'll do it. Until then, board games 😂
Ooh, those board game suggestions are golden! Thanks for those!